Florida Doghobble Agarista populifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Leucothoe populifolia
- Lyonia populifolia.
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-gah-RIS-tah pop-yoo-lih-FOL-ee-ah
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Florida hobblebush is an evergreen shrub in the heather family (Ericaceae) native to FL, GA, NC and SC. It is found growing in moist to wet woodlands, along streambanks, and hummocks in swamps.
The shrub will grow up to 12 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Size can be controlled by pruning. It prefers part sun to shade in acidic moist to occasionally wet amended soil. It grows as a multistem shrub with arching branches that form colonies, making it difficult to walk through, hence the common name. Flowering occurs on old wood, so prune only after flowering is complete.
The fragrant prolific bell-shaped flowers hang from the branches in May to June. The evergreen leaves emerge reddish and mature to green.
This plant is used to stabilize banks of streams due to its spreading nature. It can be planted as a hedge or specimen in shady or woodland gardens and along streams and ponds. Do not plant where your pets are.
Quick ID Hints:
- LEAVES glossy, deep green, lanceolate 2-3" long
- FLOWERS white, urceolate, fragrant, below foliage
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Deer resistant
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Tyler's Treasure'
- 'Tyler's Treasure'
- 'Tyler's Treasure'
- Tags:
Download Image
Download Image
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Tyler's Treasure'
- 'Tyler's Treasure'
- 'Tyler's Treasure'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Agarista
- Species:
- populifolia
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern USA
- Distribution:
- FL, GA, NC, SC
- Wildlife Value:
- It provides excellent winter cover and nesting sites for songbirds. Flowers attract bees and butterflies.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is highly resistant to damage from deer.
- Edibility:
- Poisonous
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Capsules mature to brown and split to release seeds. Displays from September to October
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Description:
- The fragrant bell-shaped flowers hang from the underside of branch axils and bloom April to May.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Glossy leathery leaves are 3 inches long and 1 inch wide with toothed margins. New growth emerges reddish and matures to green. The leaves are alternate and simple.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Description:
- Stems are round and pith filled.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Erosion
- Heavy Shade
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
